Almost two weeks to go before this one...is it a little bit on the early side for a match day thread before the international break kicks in? Quite possibly.

 

We are chasing down the title though and every game is an important one, the level of enthusiasm on here at our chance to win the title for the first time in five years is at an emotional high. I personally feel that this game, along with the following one at QPR, are monumental games in our search for the title.

 

After this weekends games four sides are left with a realistic chance of winning the league, with us the favorites. On this game day weekend while we are facing Stoke our rivals have:

 

Arsenal vs Liverpool (early Saturday kick off)

Man United vs Aston Villa ( 3 PM kickoff)

Crystal Palace vs Man City (Monday Night Football)

 

The weekend after when we go to QPR the other contender fixtures are:

 

Burnley vs Arsenal (Saturday Evening game)

Man United vs Man City (4PM Sunday game)

 

Tricky games both weekends for Arsenal and City.

 

My point in looking at these games is what a chance it is for us against first Stoke, then QPR, to really tighten our grip on the title. So long as we win these two matches we will for certain gain ground on one of, if not both, Man United and Man City. Arsenal may well drop points in one of their two matches as well, maybe both.

 

We really need our boys to turn up for this match with Stoke, and that goes double for the crowd at the Bridge. If any of you lads or ladies are lucky enough to be at the Bridge for this one get those around you to sing your hearts out. Encourage the boys, make them believe in themselves no matter what. Keep them going.

 

Let us put the fear factor that Bradford banished back in to the Bridge, let us show Stoke we want this title!

 

Come on Chelsea! Believe in ourselves, we deserve this! Let's go out there and earn it, finish the job!

A comfortable, boring 2-0 win please!!! Don't need any more stressful games.

Why can't we ever get 3:00pm kick-offs?

 

Expecting a nervy game and another one without a clean sheet. Should win this on paper but it's never that simple with us.

Why can't we ever get 3:00pm kick-offs?

 

Expecting a nervy game and another one without a clean sheet. Should win this on paper but it's never that simple with us.

Why can't we get any Monday Night games so I can actually WATCH them?

Courtois

Azpilicueta

Zouma

JT

Luis

Matic

Cesc

Hazard

Willian

Cuadrado

Remy

Few changes which I don't expect to happen but that is a fresh side with a few ready to prove their worth. Stoke play more on the floor nowadays but they're still dangerous in the air which may see Ivanovic start over Azpilicueta.

Willian/Oscar in the middle, don't really care who as it seems they do exactly the same thing. Cuadrado needs a chance and up against Pieters/Bardsley, he should have then for pace. Costa's "injury" will give Loic a well deserved start after today.

Think it'll be a standard 2-0 funnily enough, but this is a very unMourinho like side so I wouldn't be surprised if it finished 6-4.

Win this and QPR and we are firmly in the driving seat.

Courtois

Azpilicueta

Zouma

JT

Luis

Matic

Cesc

Hazard

Willian

Cuadrado

Remy

 

Exactly what I'd love to see.  What we will see (sadly)

Courtois

 

Ivanovic

Cahill

Terry

Azpilicueta

 

Ramires

Matic

Fabregas

 

Willian

Hazard

 

Drogba (if Costa is unfit)

----------Courtios-----------

Dave----Zouma---Terry----Luis

-------Ramires-----Matic------

Cuardrado-----Cesc-------Hazard

-------------Remy-----------

Why are people leaving out our top goalscorer from their line ups? 

 

If he's fit, he starts. 

 

I'd like to see Zouma get another start in defense, think he's height and power might be needed for this one but I wouldn't put it past Jose to start him in the midfield with Matic to repeat the trick from the away match where he started Mikel and Matic together to combat Stokes physicality. 

 

I can't see Cuadrado getting anywhere near the starting line up for this one, he's still adjusting to the league and I don't think he's up to the physical demands of a game like this, he would probably be bullied off the ball quite a bit. No objections for him coming on later in the game to try and run at a tiring defense though. 

 

I think Ivanovic needs to start despite his performance against Hull, Stoke have got some big lads such as Crouch and Walters and we'll need all the height and presence we can get to make sure we're not suspect at set pieces. 

I'd like to see a back four of Azpi, Zouma, JT & Luis but perhaps this isn't the game to remove Ivanovic's aerial ability. And as much as I love the guy I wouldn't play Rambo, just seems to be knocked off the ball too easily recently. Let's see who comes back unscathed from the dreaded internationals.

I choose Remy on merit and beacuse Costa is a doubt with his hamstring, the lad keeps n delivering when given hardly any minutes so it's about time to reward him plus the fact Diego could do with a rest.

Willian is not at the races, he offers hardly anything and Caurdrado is fresh and can't be any worse than what we see week in week out from Willian. He got an assist yesterday yeah but his overall performance was dire. Dave should come in at RB too since teams ALWAYS targetour lack of blance on the right and with Dave that wouldn't happen since unlike Ivan he does not drift and leave HUGE gaps at the back.

Oscar shouldn't come back in either as he was invisbile when he came on yesterday, looks like his season has already ended.

I'd like to see a back four of Azpi, Zouma, JT & Luis but perhaps this isn't the game to remove Ivanovic's aerial ability. And as much as I love the guy I wouldn't play Rambo, just seems to be knocked off the ball too easily recently. Let's see who comes back unscathed from the dreaded internationals.

If Mikel is fit I'd start him over Ramires, but his lack of games might hold him back there.

I choose Remy on merit and beacuse Costa is a doubt with his hamstring, the lad keeps n delivering when given hardly any minutes so it's about time to reward him plus the fact Diego could do with a rest.

Willian is not at the races, he offers hardly anything and Caurdrado is fresh and can't be any worse than what we see week in week out from Willian. He got an assist yesterday yeah but his overall performance was dire. Dave should come in at RB too since teams ALWAYS targetour lack of blance on the right and with Dave that wouldn't happen since unlike Ivan he does not drift and leave HUGE gaps at the back.

Oscar shouldn't come back in either as he was invisbile when he came on yesterday, looks like his season has already ended.

 

Costa's just scored in consecutive games, he's the main man up top, he's the leading goal scorer, if he's fit enough to start he has to play. 

 

I think Remy is a decent striker but he's no Costa. Pretty good at poaching goals but I don't think he brings much else to the side personally. 

 

I agree Willian had a pretty poor game against Hull but as I said I don't think a physically demanding game like Stoke is the sort of match to be taking chances on Cuardado, he's was getting bullied off the ball a lot against Southampton who aren't the biggest of sides, imagine what would happen if Charlie Adam got hold of him? 

 

Personally I don't think we're going to see Dave at right back again this season if Ivan stays fit, if Jose was going to rotate or change something about the right side he'd have done it by now but that right back slot is Ivanovic's to keep and to be honest Stoke is the sort of opponent you want him in the side for. 

 

Oscar didn't pull up trees when he came on yesterday but I thought he added a little more fluidity, movement and unpredictability about the midfield, he was moving around the pitch a lot more than Ramires or Fabregas and opening up some space for us to play with. Once we got our noses in front and Zouma came in for Willian he moved to the wide right and for the final 10 minutes our game was more about containment than pressing and flowing passing. 

Costa's just scored in consecutive games, he's the main man up top, he's the leading goal scorer, if he's fit enough to start he has to play.

I think Remy is a decent striker but he's no Costa. Pretty good at poaching goals but I don't think he brings much else to the side personally.

I agree Willian had a pretty poor game against Hull but as I said I don't think a physically demanding game like Stoke is the sort of match to be taking chances on Cuardado, he's was getting bullied off the ball a lot against Southampton who aren't the biggest of sides, imagine what would happen if Charlie Adam got hold of him?

Personally I don't think we're going to see Dave at right back again this season if Ivan stays fit, if Jose was going to rotate or change something about the right side he'd have done it by now but that right back slot is Ivanovic's to keep and to be honest Stoke is the sort of opponent you want him in the side for.

Oscar didn't pull up trees when he came on yesterday but I thought he added a little more fluidity, movement and unpredictability about the midfield, he was moving around the pitch a lot more than Ramires or Fabregas and opening up some space for us to play with. Once we got our noses in front and Zouma came in for Willian he moved to the wide right and for the final 10 minutes our game was more about containment than pressing and flowing passing.

Just goes to show how differently we see things.

I thought Oscar offered nothing when he came on and Willian was bullied off the ball all day yesterday IMO, he can’t get past his man and constantly does the same thing even when it hasn’t worked all game. We would benefit from someone else doing something different, I don’t see how anyone could do a worse job than he is doing just now.

Costa will be needed later in the season in our games against the likes of Arse and United, his hamstring was causing him problems which Jose spoke about so I’d give him a rest and get it strong enough for the run it. Remy scores goals despite given very little game time….his minutes to goals is better than Costa too so maybe we should give him the nod that would benefit both players. Costa is our no 1 and if fully fit he starts but going by Jose’s comments he’s not so we use our other options and Remy is a fantastic one.

With 3 huge games to follow the next 2 games we need 6 points for sure from the Stoke and QP ha ha games.

Fingers crossed these international games dont leave us with injuries.

Why are people leaving out our top goalscorer from their line ups? 

 

If he's fit, he starts. 

 

No doubt about that, but if he's not available I'd rather see Drogba start than Rémy.

Courtois

 

Luis

Terry

Cahill

Azpilicueta

 

Matic

Ramires

 

Hazard

Fabregas

Remy

 

Costa

With 3 huge games to follow the next 2 games we need 6 points for sure from the Stoke and QP ha ha games.

Fingers crossed these international games dont leave us with injuries.

 

I think that depends if Manchester City beat Manchester United on the same weekend we play QPR. 

 

The really need to beat United but on current form that's going to be a close contest. 

 

We're obviously looking over our shoulders at Arsenal too but they've got Liverpool at home in their next league match too and I would fancy their winning streak to come to an end in that one, even a draw takes the pressure off of us a bit. 

 

Basically those behind us can't afford to do anything but win their games right now but the teams closest to us have some fairly tricky fixtures coming up. 

No doubt about that, but if he's not available I'd rather see Drogba start than Rémy.

Why Drogba?

Remy is a far better option and is scoring goals too.

Why Drogba?

Remy is a far better option and is scoring goals too.

 

I like Rémy but I think his main asset is his pace; his ability to stand off the defender's shoulder and make runs in behind the defence won't be particularly effective against Stoke. Stoke, especially away from home, will have six players sitting extremely deep so I don't think he will have enough space to provide much of a threat, especially considering Rémy isn't the most physically intimidating of players. Drogba is more physical and more capable in the air and so will be able to play them at their own game, and the lack of space should mean that his lack of mobility is less of an issue.

 

That said, with two weeks before the game, I would hope that Costa recovers in time, so hopefully this will be a moot point.

Hopefully Costa recovers. Otherwise we'll most likely see Didi as his replacement.

Courtois in goal. Obviously. Stoke like to launch the ball into our box and Tibo's aerial presence is outstanding.

Ivanovic - Right Back. Very poor yesterday but I feel his physicality is needed against the Pots.

Zouma - Centre Back. Big, Strong and Fast. Experience will probably see Cahill start though.

Terry - Captain and Centre Back. No brainer.

Azpiliceuta - Left Back. Fantastic defensive displays this season. Will be vital.

Matic - Defensive Midfield. Not playing his best since his ban but still a crucial player.

Ramires - Defensive Midfield. Not many options for Matic's partner. Been poor lately.

Cuadrado - Right Midfield. Deserves a start after poor performances from Willian.

Fabregas - Attacking Midfield. Hopefully Diego will be fit and linking up with Fabregas to supply the goals.

Hazard - Left Midfield. No brainer.

Costa - Striker. If fit.

Courtois

 

Ivanovic

Zouma

Terry

Azpi

 

Matic

Fabregas

 

Cuadrado

Oscar

Hazard

 

Costa (he might be injuried and Remy is good, but if he's fit I can't see any reason to replace him. He's scoring goals and he has chase by Aguero and Kane, I really want him to win the golden boot.)

I'm pretty sure we'll see the same starting 11 barring injuries. Willian, as frustrating as he is, and as much as he slowed things down, was also decent outside of the first goal conceded in tracking back.  And Jose will want that.

 

I know what I'd love to see:

 

.......................Courtois

Azpi...........Zouma..Terry.......Luis

....................Matic

..........................Oscar

Cuadrado......Cesc........Hazard

...................Costa/Remy is Costa unfit

 

But I doubt that is what we'll see.

Every game is a cup final from here on in until it's mathematically over.   I don't like these long lay offs we tend to be very slow when restarting. Its the run in now so no heart attack football like the Hull game, get it sorted, get it done..    

When is Mikel back available for selection?

When is Mikel back available for selection?

Should be this game. It was a month out and he's been out for about 3 weeks I think.